A robber who threatened a pregnant woman with an imitation gun and committed a string of other robberies across Essex has been jailed.
Ky Ellis’ two-year long spree of thefts and robberies has now been brought to an end after he was sentenced to ten year’s imprisonment.
In December of 2018 the 42-year-old old robbed a Corals betting store in Ongar Road, Brentwood, threatening two staff members before making off with a three-figure sum of cash.
That same month he robbed a BP garage in Hutton armed with a knife and committed another six shoplifting offences in Brentwood, Ingatestone, Doddinghurst, Hullbridge, Writtle and Basildon.
Two months later Ellis walked into the offices of Ray Cross Surfacing in Canvey and demanded money from a terrified pregnant woman.
She opened a safe and cupboard to show there was nothing inside. However, Ellis spotted her handbag and stole a three-figure sum of cash before fleeing the scene.
He was arrested in March by Metropolitan Police detectives who were investigating him for an armed robbery of a bookmakers in Stratford and two thefts from east London shops all in January of 2019.
During police interview, Ellis said he had arranged the Canvey robbery with a person whom he owed a large drugs debt to and the money was to go towards paying off the debt.
Ellis, 42, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, October 15 after previously admitting all the offences.
He was jailed for ten years, with an extended licence of three years.
PC Charlotte Appleton said: “Ky Ellis is a dangerous offender and I can only imagine how terrifying it must have been for his victims to come face to face with him threatening them with a weapon.
“He put them through a horrific ordeal and his actions left an emotional and financial impact that he paid no thought to when he set out to commit these crimes.
“The fact that he threatened a heavily pregnant woman and stole the money she had been saving ahead of the birth of her baby is especially abhorrent and callous.
“We worked closely with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police to put this dangerous man behind bars and I hope his victims can feel reassured and safer now he is off our streets.”
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